I'm a firm believer in thinking that a cruise is the best vacation you can take. Seriously. You visit multiple countries (or multiple parts of the same country), you get to eat all the freaking time, there's always something to do and you don't have to worry about drinking too much because you don't have to drive anywhere. I went on a cruise with my family when I was a junior in high school, and that was fun and all, but I didn't fall in love with cruises until I took a trip with my Tech Fam, aka my best friends in college. We traveled with Carnival on the Triumph (yes, that's the one that got stranded in the middle of the ocean for five days. It was fine when we went though, obvs) to Cozumel and Progreso in Mexico. We went two days after graduation, because we weren't playing around. We were ready to celebrate.
It started with a road trip. I love road trips. I especially love them two days after a college graduation. The first day was a blur. We ate a lot. Explored the boat. Did lots of the random activities that the boat plans for everyone.
That night we got all cute and did some karaoke. I'm not talking about the karaoke that happens in smoky bars and gross bathrooms. We're talking legit karaoke with a band (yes, a band). We also got back-up singers. Y'all, I can't sing at all, but man, I had a blast. The first night, my fellow Swiftie and I belted out some "Love Story." Don't hate.
It was ladies night at one of the clubs onboard, and all the girls got a free glass of champagne. Couldn't miss that. It wasn't that hoppin though, so we just got our free drank, danced to a couple songs, and left.
The next day was a lot of random. We did a bunch of stuff on the boat. We played some games in the library. Okay, that sounded really nerdy, but y'all just have to understand that we love us some board games. There was some pool and water slide action on the boat too.
|
Winners of the game being too cool to look at the camera. |
|
Losers of the game being awesome. |
That night, we got all fancy and ate expensive food that wasn't expensive to us because you can eat as much of it as you want! Seriously, if you're thinking about going on a cruise, don't diet beforehand because you'll just gain all that weight back. You can't not eat all the time. Plus the food is good. When were we not eating? The answer is never.
The next day was the first port - Progreso! We didn't make any plans for Progreso. We just thought we'd see what would happen. We started with a beautiful sunrise on the boat. So gorgeous. Then we walked through the shops. We decided to wait until we were about to get back on the boat before buying anything. We got a comfy spot on the beach, and all these people kept asking us if we wanted massages. One of the people I was with talked these people into letting us get super cheap massages, which led to Jon and I having our very first couples massage.
We ate lunch on the beach. It was fabulous. I don't like Mexican food, but apparently I like Mexican food in Mexico. It was so good, y'all. So good.
We couldn't leave Progreso without doing something exciting, so we decided to go on a banana boat! Omg! Y'all. I just can't even describe how fun this was. We met these two guys after banana boating that were pretty cool, and they were on the same cruise as us. I mentioned them in one of my first blog posts way back when.
When we got back on the boat, we all showered and got dressy-ish. We took some pictures on the deck because the sunset was just absolutely gorgeous. We also went to a magic show that was a little risque and then we went to a Burlesque show. Then of course we went back for some more karaoke.
The next day - COZUMEL! We booked an excursion not through Carnival and pretty much ended up having our own private beach (with just a few stragglers, but they don't count). We got some snorkle lessons (which I really struggled with. The whole mouth-breathing thing is a lot easier said than done. For me anyways). We also got to use the snorkle gear as much as we wanted, plus -- we had an Open. Bar. Yeah. Open. In Mexico.
We also ate some lunch somewhere in there and did some shopping.
The rest of our time on the boat was spent doing a lot of random - mini golf, pool, hot tub, meeting people, dancing, karaoke (can't get enough), eating (duh), seeing magic tricks (table side), going to a comedy show (where I got called out because he couldn't figure out what my race was. Don't remember what was said, but I do remember laughing), drinking, going to the arcade, wasting money at the casino (I broke even though), playing board games and just a lot of overall randomness, including playing a murder mystery game. Yeah. We all share a special kind of friendship. I wish I could afford to go on cruises all the time.
When is my next cruise you didn't ask? BLOGCATION! I can't even describe my excitement. I can't wait to meet my three roomies and go to my first bloggers conference. Plus, I get to go to the Bahamas, which I've never been to before, and I'm freaking excited. There's potential Mary-Kate and Ashley movie remake possibilities here. Can I just go to Atlantis?
Anyway, the point is - I love traveling, and cruises are the best way to do it because you get to see multiple places in one vacation. Plus, you don't have to drive. Cruises just make you feel like royalty even though there are hundreds of other people on the boat feeling like royalty with you. My next cruise is going to be way too much fun - meeting people that I never ever thought I would get the chance to meet. It's gonna be a blast, and if you're a blogger and haven't signed up yet, what the heck are you waiting for?!
*********************************************************
Meet one of my March sponsors, Neisha!
Hi, I'm Neisha, the girl over at Neisha's View. Over on my little space I talk about all (read:most) of the happenings in my life and all the crazy little thoughts that run through my mind. I love God, positivity, green tea binges and I'm a firm believer that our big world is still filled with genuine little people.
What is your favorite thing about blogging?
My favorite thing about blogging is being able to interact with so many different people. I think that this is the coolest part about being a blogger, there are so many different people in the blog world. I just love it!
What motivates you?
Hmmmm I'm often motivated and inspired by people who have defeated the odds and achieved their biggest dreams. My heart becomes so full of joy for these people. It makes me feel like I can do anything!
If you could live a day in the life of anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
Ohhhh man, I don't know. This question is hard for me. But I'll choose Bob Goff; many people don't know who he is. He wrote a book called Love Does. He is such an amazing man. His life is filled with adventure and leaps of faith, it's almost unreal. He's also very personable and kind...the man has his very own personal number in the back of his book for gosh sake.
What song are you currently obsessed with?
There is no song.....sorry. I love everything, well almost everything. I just like good music. I am obsessed with Regina Spektor at the moment though. She's great.
This question makes me wish I did some cool trick like tying a cherry stem with my tongue or putting out a hit album without any marketing or promotion but no....I'm just ordinary. Not plain, but ordinary. But I'll say I'm awesome because I stay true to who I am.
To learn more about Neisha, follow her via the links below:
oooh that sounds like so much fun! I love your red dress, and that is so exciting that you're going to a blogging conference!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Love all the pictures!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fun trip! And so cool to get to go to different places all on one vacation :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an awesome trip! I havent been on a cruise but its totally on my list - and blogcation looks freakin incredible, I really need to start figuring out if I can go!
ReplyDeleteMiche from Buttons and Birdcages
ps I just got back from Atlantis and it was freakin awesome
ReplyDeleteMiche from Buttons and Birdcages
sound and look like you had an amazing time.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing trip <3
ReplyDeletewww.simplysinova.com
I am beyond envious, that trip looks like heaven! I would love to be on a cruise but my experiences of being on water (dinner cruise, some short boat adventure in China and seabus traveling) usually leaves me feeling nauseous despite the amount of Gravel I take before leaving the docks :(
ReplyDeleteOMG girl! That looks like so much fun! THERE IS MINIGOLF ON BOARD? I need to book a cruise!! I suck at snorkling, too. I usually just go too deep and inhale a bunch of water. I'm that girl. Have so much fun on Blogcation! I wish I could go!!
ReplyDeleteNever been on a cruise before but it sounds awesome and now I wanna try it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It was a blast. I'm so excited to go to the blogging conference! I really don't know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It really was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love cruises! I want to go on them all the time and travel everywhere!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really fun trip, and cruises are amazing! I hope that you can go on Blogcation! It would be so fun to meet each other! And be on a boat for a week.
ReplyDeleteI did! I love cruises!
ReplyDeleteIt was a blast! I had so much fun.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a shame. I haven't ever been seasick, but sometimes if I think about it too much or stare at the water too long, I get a little headache.
ReplyDeleteYes! Mini golf! I mean, it wasn't an amazing course, but I still had so much fun playing. Met some interesting people too. I do the same thing when I'm snorkeling. Everyone I was with had it down almost immediately, and I was struggling for so long. I used a life jacket and held on to the floatie that he brought along. Didn't care though. I had a blast!
ReplyDeleteYou should! It is the one of the best vacations ever.
ReplyDeleteI've never been on a cruise. I would love to one day. Looks like loads of fun!
ReplyDeleteSeriously sounds so fun!! It's a few weeks after my school's vacation ends :(
ReplyDeleteIt's so much! You should definitely go on at least one!
ReplyDelete